A game board apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a board game apparatus ( 1 ), comprising: a playing board ( 2 ) having marked thereon at least two paths ( 3 ) starting from the corner or edge ( 4 ) of the board and ending at a center point ( 5 ) on the board, each of the paths being divided into equal numbers of subunits ( 6 ) each one being demarcated and mentioned thereon a particular number, the center point of the board includes one unit ( 7 ) mentioned thereon a particular number; a die ( 8 ) having at least two faces ( 9 ), each face having mentioned thereon a number which is distinct from the number mentioned on another face; a set of game pieces for identifying the players of the game; wherein the number mentioned on any subunit ( 6 ) on the path ( 3 ) is divisible by the number mentioned on at least one face of the die ( 8 ), but not by all numbers mentioned on the faces of die, in that the number mentioned on unit of center point of the board is divisible by all the numbers mentioned on faces of the die; provided that when the die ( 8 ) has only two faces the number mentioned on any subunit ( 6 ) on the path ( 3 ) is divisible by only one number out of the numbers mentioned on two faces of the die ( 8 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming. More particularly it relates to board games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Various board games are available in the market. Some of the patent literatures disclosing board games are discussed herein below.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,381 A discloses a board game which simulates competitive advancement in an organizational hierarchy by movement of tokens on sections of the board arranged in laterally extending rows and lying within distinct sectors radially arrayed about a central section of the board. Movement of a token within a row is preferentially in a predetermined direction of increasing hierarchial status and movement between rows is preferentially in a radial direction towards the central section. Digit dice and a selector die for determining the order in which the digit dice are read randomly generate a number. A set of action cards translate this number into a move code and a table of moves translates the move code into movement of the tokens on the board or other changes in the situation of the player affecting the advance of his token to the central section. Scorecards translate an initial roll of the dice by each player into a starting position on the board for a token associated with that player and also determine other characteristics associated with that player. The scorecards also preferably record the financial condition and transactions of the players.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,710 A discloses game apparatus designed specifically for use as a teaching tool to reward participants for “correct” responses to life situation problems and including a game board having a winner's circle and a plurality of ramps leading radially into the circle, each of said ramps having a plurality of color coded spaces, said game apparatus also including a selection die having color coded surfaces thereon certain of which match the colors of said ramp spaces and certain of said die surface colors determining the action that participant should take. Said game apparatus also includes a play book having preselected life situation problems with multiple choice responses, choosing the “correct” response entitling the participant to a reward, said game apparatus also including a reward selection spinner with a reward selection board, each having matching indicia to determine the specific reward.

Patent publication No. DE 2738798 A1 discloses a game played with a die and board uses a die which has a different colour on each face instead of the usual number of dots. A board has squares or circles of colours corresponding to the colours on the faces of the die but arranged in random order. When the die is thrown the player moves his counter onto the next square of the same colour as that of the upper face of the die. This game is especially suitable for very young children who have not learned to count.

Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,284 discloses a game apparatus comprising a game board provided with a playing area which simulates the geographical outline of a country and having a plurality of routes extending across the playing area and having strategic point indicia located on the playing area; two sets of player tokens to be moved along the routes; a die element showing the distance to move a player token along a selected route; command cards giving instructions to a captured player token; an escape die to allow a captured player token to escape. The object of the game is for a player to move all of his player tokens across the board from start to finish after overcoming obstacles and evading capture by the opposite team of player tokens. While children are playing the game they are able to learn about interesting geographical features of the country on the game board.

All above mentioned games are need more than one person and less number of players make them apathetic. Hence, there is a need to develop a new board game which can be played by single as well as multiple players with ease, excitement and can help to pass the time fruitfully etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the foregoing objectives, the present invention provides a board game apparatus, comprising:

-   -   a playing board (2) having marked thereon at least two paths (3)         starting from the corner or edge (4) of the board and ending at         a center point (5) on the board, each of the paths being divided         into equal numbers of subunits (6) each one being demarcated and         mentioned thereon a particular number, the center point of the         board includes one unit (7) mentioned thereon a particular         number;     -   a die (8) having at least two faces (9), each face having         mentioned thereon a number which is distinct from the number         mentioned on another face;     -   a set of game pieces for identifying the players of the game;     -   wherein the number mentioned on any subunit (6) on the path (3)         is divisible by the number mentioned on at least one face of the         die (8), but not by all numbers mentioned on the faces of die,         in that the number mentioned on unit of center point of the         board is divisible by all the numbers mentioned on faces of the         die;     -   provided that when the die (8) has only two faces the number         mentioned on any subunit (6) on the path (3) is divisible by         only one number out of the numbers mentioned on two faces of the         die (8).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: shows perspective view of a board game apparatus in accordance to present invention.

FIGS. 2(a) & 2(b): shows different designs of the board game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3: shows die used in board game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4(a) & 4(b): shows different designs of the die used in board game apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provide a new board game apparatus. The board game apparatus of current invention is simple, easy to play and very interesting. It can be played by single as well as multiple players. Being based on luck and chance, even a single person can pass his time comfortably with this board game apparatus. It enhances the reflux action of mind and generate the thrill and enthusiasm. It creates an exciting environment. It is most suitable to be played by children as well as elders with equal interest and joy.

Further, this board game apparatus can be used as a tool to practice mathematics by school children.

The invention and its further features and advantages are explained in more detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments schematically represented in the figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, the board game apparatus (1) of present invention includes a playing board (2), a die (8) and a set of game pieces for identifying the players of the game (not shown in figures).

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2(a) and 2(b), the playing board (2) having marked thereon at least two paths (3). The paths (3) starts from the corner or edge (4) of the board and end at a center point (5) on the board. Each of the paths (3) being divided into equal numbers of subunits (6) each one being demarcated and mentioned thereon a particular number. The center point of the board includes one unit (7) mentioned thereon a particular number.

The playing board (2) may be of any shape. Typically, it is of gammadion cross shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped or circular shaped.

In preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the circular shaped playing board (2) has four paths (3) marked thereon. The tail part of all the four paths is joined together to form a circle. This gives a common circular path for each player in addition to his individual path. Each path (3) starts from the distinct edge (4), first follows a common circular game path, then follows its distinct individual game path and end at a center point (5) on the playing board (2). Thus, partially overlapping route is available to increase the enthusiasm of players.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4(a) & 4(b), the die (8) includes at least two faces (9). Each face having mentioned thereon a number which is distinct from the number mentioned on another face. The faces (9) may have same or different colors. Typically the die (8) includes six faces.

In another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 (a), a suitable color scheme may be adapted for the beginners or players who are not much comfortable with the divisibility concept. For such cases the colors of individual subunits (6) on paths (3) are matched with the color of those faces (9) on die (8) which have the number capable of dividing the number on corresponding subunit.

In yet another preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 2 (b), path (3) is indicated by different colors.

Although the paths (3) shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are divided in nine subunits (6), there is no restriction on further incorporations of or removals of subunits in/from the paths (3) provided at least two subunits (6) shall always be present in each path (3). Any number of subunits (6) other than one can be suitably adapted in paths (3) of this board game apparatus to create variable excitement levels amongst players. Even a board game apparatus having two subunits (6) in paths (3) can maximum the excitement level of players by making them desperate for winning this short path faster game.

According to the main and basic embodiment of the invention, the number mentioned on any subunit (6) on the path (3) is divisible by the number mentioned on at least one face of the die (8), but not by all numbers mentioned on the faces of die, in that the number mentioned on unit of center point of the board is divisible by all the numbers mentioned on faces of the die. Also when the die (8) has only two faces the number mentioned on any subunit (6) on the path (3) is divisible by only one number out of the numbers mentioned on two faces of the die (8).

The set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects, each color designating single players. The set of game pieces may contain same shape but different colored objects, each color distinctly assigned to a single path (except in embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 (a)). The set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects are selected from coins and buttons.

Working of the Invention:

-   -   i. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 a and 2 b generally, each player will         start by placing his game piece on “Start” mark.     -   ii. Each player will sequentially roll the die to get the         number. If the number on die divides the number on the next         immediate subunit of the path, then the player will move ahead         by advancing his game piece to next immediate subunit on the         path. Further, said player may be given another extra chance to         roll the die as a perk to boost his enthusiasm. However, if the         number on die does not divide the number on the next immediate         subunit on the path, then the player will remain on the same         place.     -   iii. After repeating step (ii) several times, the player who         reaches the center point of the playing board first is the         winner in the game.

Particularly referring to FIG. 1, it may happen that at a given point of time, one player may reach to a subunit which is already occupied by another player. Because of the common path there are chances of clashing of game pieces. In such case, said one player will occupy that subunit and the previous occupier/occupant will move back by one cell. This will enhance the thrill in the game.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A board game apparatus, comprising: a playing board having marked thereon at least two paths starting from the corner or edge of the board and ending at a center point on the board, each of the paths being divided into equal numbers of subunits each one being demarcated and mentioned thereon a particular number, the center point of the board includes one unit mentioned thereon a particular number; a die having at least two faces, each face having mentioned thereon a number which is distinct from the number mentioned on another face; a set of game pieces for identifying the players of the game; wherein the number mentioned on any subunit on the path is divisible by the number mentioned on at least one face of the die, but not by all numbers mentioned on the faces of die, in that the number mentioned on unit of center point of the board is divisible by all the numbers mentioned on faces of the die; provided that when the die has only two faces the number mentioned on any subunit on the path is divisible by only one number out of the numbers mentioned on two faces of the die.
 2. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein playing board is of gammadion cross shaped.
 3. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein playing board is of square shaped.
 4. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein playing board is of rectangular shaped.
 5. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein playing board is of circular shaped having four paths whose tail parts are joined together to form a circle.
 6. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein each path starts from the distinct edge, first follows a common circular game path, then follows its distinct individual game path and end at a center point on the playing board.
 7. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the die includes six faces.
 8. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the playing board has four paths marked thereon.
 9. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein path is indicated by different colors.
 10. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each path is divided in nine subunits.
 11. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each path is divided in two subunits.
 12. The board of game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects, each color designating single players.
 13. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects, each color distinctly assigned to a single path.
 14. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects are selected from coins and buttons.
 15. The board game apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the set of game pieces contain same shape but different colored objects are selected from coins and buttons. 